By JONATHON HOWARD
SOUTHERN Downs school principals could soon be given greater disciplinary powers, including possible Saturday detentions, after the Newman Government announced sweeping reforms to strengthen discipline in state schools.
Minister for Education, Training and Employment John-Paul Langbroek said the plan was the first of 15 strategies to be developed under the State Government’s new “Great Teachers = Great Results” initiative.
Mr Langbroek said the reforms included introducing behaviour contracts with students and families, expanding the number of alternative learning centres for students with complex behaviour needs, and school discipline audits.
He said he would also take a proposal to parliament to allow principals to introduce Saturday detentions. “We know that discipline works when there are clear expectations for standards of behaviour and meaningful consequences when students do not comply with these standards,” Mr Langbroek said.
“Some non-state schools impose Saturday detentions as a consequence for unacceptable behaviour and we want state school principals to have the same power. “This is about reducing the number of exclusions by giving principals more tools to nip poor behaviour in the bud before it escalates.”
Mr Langbroek said there was no doubt that Queensland state schools had a behaviour problem and part of the reason was that principals were fighting with one arm behind their back.
“Currently, principals have 41 pages of legislation that prescribes what they can and can’t do with respect to discipline,” he said.
“The Newman Government wants to remove this unnecessary red tape so that principals can focus on implementing strong school discipline standards rather than filling out paperwork.”
Mr Langbroek said principals would also be encouraged to establish Discipline Improvement Plans or contracts of student behaviour with parents.
“Parents play a pivotal role in disciplining their children and schools cannot achieve improved behavioural outcomes without support from parents.
“Principals will be able to set behaviour conditions that parents and students sign up to with agreed consequences of not meeting their obligations.”
Mr Langbroek said the reforms also included a plan to work with principals to apply community service interventions in order to provide meaningful consequences for unacceptable behaviour.
“Under our new plan principals will work with their school community to develop localised approaches to discipline.
“This may include working with local councils, volunteer organisations and other non-government agencies to improve students’ skills, and enhance respect for themselves and others through hard effort, commitment and teamwork.”
Mr Langbroek said exclusions were considered to be a last resort and principals would be required to have strong, fair and consistent discipline methods.
“During 2013 and 2014 every state school will be audited to ensure they apply discipline appropriately,” he said.
“Schools will be expected to have clear expectations for behaviour, and clear consequences for those students who do not meet the required standards.”
Mr Langbroek said the changes were based on the State Government’s commitment to giving all children and young people a chance to learn. “The Newman Government recognises the importance of working with students that have complex behavioural needs,” he said.
“That’s why we plan to expand our relationships with Special Assistance Schools that are keen to build their role in meeting the needs of particular students across Queensland.”
